Chaos Mate ~Revenge In This Chaotic Academy~ - Chapter 58: Compulsory Word Game

Chapter 58: Compulsory Word Game

I had a bad feeling.

That academy wouldn’t let us have a normal summer break.

I’d been on guard, expecting something to happen.

But not like this.

The white wristband’s screen continues scrolling text.

“The Mandatory Word Game’s rules are simple! Say the word sent to your wristband within the time limit to someone. Speaking it earns ability points; not speaking deducts points. That’s it, super easy! Oh, don’t show your screen to others—that’s an instant penalty. So, you can use the excuse that it’s just the assigned word! Gross words like ‘creep’ or ‘die’ are fine!”

What’s the point? If you don’t speak, you lose points, and worst case, you drop to F-Class…

“One last thing: if you don’t want to say it for ethical reasons, that’s your choice. But if your ability points hit zero during the game, you’re expelled, no mercy. So, good luck! Words are coming, so do your best. Here’s to a great game!”

The screen cuts off with a click.

Your choice? With expulsion on the line? Yeah, right.

Clicking my tongue, I glare at the dark screen. It lights up again, displaying a word.

“Human trash. Limit: 5 minutes.”

This is totally meant to ruin relationships.

Glancing at Naruse nearby, she’s seen her word too, clutching her head.

“Words that degrade human dignity. I’d hesitate to say them.”

“Yours is that kind? Well, everyone’s got limits on what they can say. A refined girl like you avoiding crude modern slang makes sense in public, just like a guy would balk at using gal lingo. …This game’s rough on both the speaker and the target.”

Sighing in sync, we voice our thoughts.

“Hey, what’d you think if someone called you ‘human trash’? What’d you do?”

“I’d crush them mentally, instilling fear so they’d never speak to me again.”

“…Yeah, I get that.”

I slip the word into the conversation and check my wristband and phone, but nothing changes.

Seems sneaking it into dialogue doesn’t count.

“Hey, Naruse, try saying your word to me.”

“Are you picking a fight? I implied I don’t want to say it.”

“Not saying costs points. Could be 100, could be 1000. Either way, assume the worst and say it. It’ll only hurt me, so don’t worry. I swear, no grudges this time. I’ve trained to reset my emotions.”

Already blank-faced, Naruse sighs deeply, glances at her wristband again, and looks at me.

“You sure? Don’t slap me later.”

“I only hit enemies or jerks. You’re safe.”

“Then I’m good. I’m not your enemy, and I lack the guy experience to be a jerk. …Alright, here goes.”

“Yeah, I’m ready. Hit me.”

Naruse half-eyes me and says,

“Could you not block my path, trash? Some garbage gets recycled, but you’re not even worth that. Is living a life no one needs fun?”

…Even knowing she’s sharp-tongued, without emotional reset, that’d sting.

I think I get this game’s aim.

Naruse’s phone vibrates. She checks it and shows me.

“Plus 100 points. …And five minutes just passed.”

“Damn, really…”

Checking my phone, my ability points drop from 25,638 to 25,637.

Wait, only one point? I expected at least 100.

Like the werewolf game, mysteries pile up, but in these five minutes, I figured out what this game tests: mental strength.

※

That night, before bed, I gather the other three in my room to check on their word notifications.

Seems they got words they hesitated to say too, and ignoring them cost points.

Mogami lost 2, Kumi 25, and Motoki 43.

What’s going on? I lost the least.

The gap with Kumi and Motoki’s losses suggests some criteria.

Why do deduction points vary? Maybe harsher penalties for first-semester behavior issues?

Lost in thought, looking down, Mogami suddenly peers into my face, startling me into a “Whoa!?”

Ignoring my reaction, she tilts her head, expressionless.

“What’re you thinking about?”

“Oh, about the deduction points. What factors decide them.”

“Yeah, that’s curious. Alright, you handle that.”

She responds casually, despite asking.

“…Huh? You’re not gonna help think it through?”

I give her an incredulous look, and she sighs, narrowing her eyes condescendingly.

“I hate being relied on. Already asking for my brains? You’ve got a long way, Madoka.”

Getting mocked out of nowhere.

It ticks me off, but I hold back.

“Plus, all of us tackling the same problem wastes time, right? I’ve got my own thing to figure out, so I’ll do that.”

“Fine, I’ll handle it. But can’t you at least tell me what you’re working on?”

“Se-cret.”

She puts a finger to her lips and leaves the room.

Ugh, so annoying.

Naruse sighs deeply right after.

“Mogami-san’s group activity skills haven’t improved one bit.”

“Don’t worry, Naruse. Mogami seems spacey, but she steps up when it counts, and her instincts are sharp. She’ll be fine on her own.”

Backing Mogami up, Motoki slings an arm around me with a cheeky grin.

“Wow, Madoka praising someone? Rare. …You into her or what?”

“Hey, Motoki-cchi, that’s outta line!”

Motoki’s teasing tone gets a scold from Kumi.

I want to brush it off with a wry smile, but he keeps pushing.

“Nah, I think you’re a great match, man! Emi-chan’s closest to you, guy or girl.”

“Naruse said something similar, but I don’t think we’re close at all.”

“From the outside, you two look like a couple.”

“Stop. That gives me chills.”

Half-lidding my eyes, Motoki gets louder, whining.

Getting fed up, I take a deep breath and shift my gaze.

“…Sorry, but I can’t love anyone anymore. Expect what you want, but it’s not happening. My love ended with my first love.”

“First love!? Madoka had a first love!?”

“Yeah. Never worked out, and it never will. I’m tired of loving anyone. I’m done with romance…”

Muttering while staring at the moon outside, Motoki and Kumi fall silent, and Naruse looks down.

They probably know who I mean.

Clapping her hands, Naruse grabs Motoki and Kumi’s yukata collars, saying, “Let’s sleep. Rest while we can,” and ushers them out.

As she leaves, she looks at me with sad eyes.

“If something’s weighing you down, talk to me. I’ll listen.”

“…Yeah, thanks. If it comes to that, I will.”

Alone in the room, I gaze at the moon for a bit.

They say ancient nobles contemplated their loves under the moon, but I can’t even do that.

When I lost Nee-san, I remember something inside me saying:

“You’re alone. From now on, no one will be by your side.”

I still don’t know if that was a hallucination.